SERIES HISTORY: Stanford leads 50-26-3 and has won three of the past four.

STORYLINES: The stakes are considerable: The winner stays within one game of Oregon in the Pac-12 North and becomes the league's front-runner for an at-large berth in the Bowl Championship Series. ... Stanford redshirt freshman quarterback Kevin Hogan will make his first career start after an impressive showing off the bench against Colorado. Hogan is extremely mobile but has little experience as a pocket passer. ... Oregon State quarterback Cody Vaz will make his fourth career start with sophomore Sean Mannion, of Pleasanton, available in reserve. ... Both teams play stout defense.

MATCHUP TO WATCH: Stanford cornerbacks Alex Carter and Terrence Brown vs. Oregon State receivers Markus Wheaton and Brandin Cooks. Not since it got carved up by Arizona (Oct. 6) has Stanford faced a set of wideouts as talented as Wheaton and Cooks, who combine for 13 catches per game and have big-play speed. Stanford must limit downfield receptions and force OSU to move the ball 5 yards at a time, possession after possession.

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STATS THAT MATTER: Stanford leads the nation in run defense (57.9 yards per game), sacks (4.3 per game) and tackles for loss (9.2 per game). ... Oregon State is the stingiest team in the Pac-12 when it comes to third down, allowing opponents to convert just 24 percent of the time. ... Oregon State kicker Trevor Romaine has made 10 of 12 field goals. Stanford's Jordan Williamson is 12 of 19.